Improved looking-glass support



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

WILLIAM H. GRAY, OF N EVV YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED LOOKING-GLASS SUPPORT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 8 1,944, dated December 15, 1868 antcdatcd December 5, 1868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. GRAY,of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Looking-Glass Supports, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, ref erence being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 represents a'view, in perspective, of a looking-glass as carried by or connected with its support under one application of the formers use, showing also, in red lines, a changed position of the reversible portion of the support to admit of a different use of the glass. Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the glass, in illustration of the manner in which it may be borne by the support to occupy different positions relatively thereto; and Figs. 3 and 4 views, in perspective, of my improvement as in use under such altered position of the glass to vary its application or use.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This my improvement is designed both for male and female use, and may be used alike for shaving and various hair cutting or dressing operations; and said invention consists in or embraces a frame or support to a portable looking-glass of such character and mode of connecting the glass therewith and adjusting the latter as that not only maythe glass be used in a fixed relationship, by causing it, through its support, to rest on a dressing table or stand, with facility for varying its angle relatively to the light, but may also be used as an appendage to the person by fitting its frame or support round the neck, with provision for changing the position of the glass in relation.

to the frame to adapt the glass either to shaving or hair-dressing operations, and whereby both hands may be left at liberty for holding the shaving-brush and razor, or comb and brush, or comb and scissors, as the case maybe.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, A represents a steel or spring frame proper, forming what may be termed the stand, of a divided-hoop or other double-bow-like form, so as to open, as at a, for the purpose of fitting it to the person, round the neck, or so as to rest on the shoulder portion of the body, and provided with legs I), made capable of swinging to one side or out of the way when using the device as an appendage to the person and turning down to form rests when seating the contrivance on a dressing table or stand. The frame A may, if desired, be provided with springcatches to lock and hold the legs in uniform position when required to act as rests; also, said frame, if preferred, may be made of a hinged or jointed character, to facilitate its fit round the neck.

Connected with the frame A, in a loose or detachable manner, by a socket, o, to the frame, arranged opposite the opening a in the latter, and provided with a set-screw, d, to raise or lower the socket, which should be hung to admit of such action, is a rod or wire, B, bent at its one end, as at e, to fit within the socket c, said wire being jointed at its opposite end, as at f, and held by a set-screw, g, to rod (3, that serves to hold or carry the glass D, by means of eyes or loops h and 1', arranged at right angles to each other on the back of the glass to vary the position of the glass as regards its length and breadth relatively to the frame or rod 0. Thus the glass D, which is of an oblong character, may, by entering the rod 0 through the eyes h, be made to stand with its length in line with the rod 0, or, by passing the latter through the eyes i, the length of the glass be caused to occupy a crosswise position relatively to said rod.

From this description it will be seen that the device admits of a varied adjustment of the glass D, which may either be turned to any desired angle on the rod 0, or, if desired, raised or lowered thereon, and, by adjustment of the joint f through the setscrew g, be made to occupy a perpendicular position to the frame A, or to more or less lean in relation thereto.

These adjustments will not only be found of service, when the glass, through its support or holder, rests upon a stand or table, to suit difierent requirements, as controlled by the direction of the light or other circumstances con sequent upon the position or height of the person or otherwise, but will also be of advantage when using the glass as an appendage to the person. In the latter case the adjustment up or down of the socket c by the set-screw (1 will likewise be found of great assistance to secure a proper angle and height for the glass, as will be apparent when it is considered that as an appendage to the person the glass is made to stand out away from the frame by reversing the position of the rod B from that shown by black lines in Fig. 1, which is done by entering the bent portion 0 from the inside of the socket c, as shown by red lines in Fig. 1, and as represented in Figs. 3 and 4. As the glass is situated in relation to its frame, as represented by black lines in Fig. 1, it is in position to rest upon a table or stand.

For shavingpurposes the glass D is arranged, through its eyes it h, with its length in direction of the rod 0, as shown in Fig. 3; but for hair-cutting or hair parting or dressing operations the glass is changed so that it occupies a crosswise position on the rod 0, as represented in Fig. 4, when, by the use of an ordinary mirror in addition, located in rear of the person, every facility is afforded for performing theselast-named operations, ineludin g the parting of the hair at the back as well as at the front, it only being necessary to turn the glass to a different angle on its rod 0, according to the side of the head being dressed.

By using the glass as an appendage to or on the person in the manner described both hands are left at liberty for holding either the shaving-brush and razor, or comb and brush, or comb and scissors, and for turning about or from place to place to catch the proper light, or as other circumstances may require.

By this device or contrivance every man may be his own barber.

Being made in pieces and detachable, the

whole device may be packed in a small space or compass, to facilitate carrying it in a trunk or valise, or in the pocket, and for other purposes of transportation or convenience gener- I frame, acting as a support to the glass, of such;

character that it may be attached as an appendage to the person, leaving both hands at liberty for other purpose or purposes, substantially as specified.

2. The frame A, having an opening, as at a, 7 j

and provided with adjustable or shifting legs I), for use in connection with a glass, either as an appendage to the person or otherwise, as herein set forth.

3. The combination, with the frame A, constructed to fit the person, essentially as described, of the reversible wire or rod B, socket e, and glass-holding rod 0, for operation as specified.

4. In combination with the frame A, the rods B and O, jointed together for operation in connection with the glass, as herein set forth.

5. The combination, with the frame A and rod B, of the socket a, made adjustable up or down, essentially as herein set forth.

WILLIAM H. GRAY.

\Vitnesses:

A. LE OLERG, E. P. TRACY. 

